Manchester City defeated Burnley, and Erling Haaland made a comeback from injury as a substitute. Before Amin Al-Dakhil scored for Burnley, Julian Alvarez scored two goals, and Rodrigo was also on target.
In Short
Alvarez’s Brace
Erling Haaland marked his return after almost two months of a foot injury. Despite Burnley putting pressure on Manchester City in the Premier League clash, City secured a 3-1 victory.
In the second half, Haaland emerged as a substitute, replacing Kevin De Bruyne. While De Bruyne had an impactful start in August, it was Julian Alvarez who led City to a consecutive fourth Premier League win with two goals in the first half.
The opener 🤟🔓 pic.twitter.com/O3heTTiOZ5
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 1, 2024
The second goal for Burnley came after a clever De Bruyne free-kick following Erling Haaland’s injury. City sealed the result beyond doubt when Rodrigo swept in a Phil Foden cut-back just 24 seconds into the interval.
Signature Rodri™️ pic.twitter.com/ykjUlFlcZE
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 1, 2024
Haaland struggled to find his rhythm upon his return, even rejecting some unexpected opportunities. Despite this, his presence, combined with De Bruyne’s reintroduction, made for a satisfying evening for Manchester City despite Burnley’s consolation goal by Amin Al-Dakhil.
Manchester City on Second Spot
As per the result, Pep Guardiola’s team climbed to the second spot above Arsenal, with Liverpool holding the top position. Burnley sits at the 19th position, seven points clear from the relegation zone.
Player Ratings:
Manchester City:
• Ederson (6), Luis (7), Stones (7), Ake (7), Guardiola (7), Rodrigo (8), Nuno (8), Foden (7), De Bruyne (8), Doku (8), Alvarez (
Substitution: Haaland (6), Grealish (6), Kovacic (6), Gomez (6).
Burnley:
• Tarkowski (5), Mee (5), Lowton (6), Eikdal (6), Al-Dakhil (7), Gudmundsson (6), Brownhill (6), Barnes (6), Wood (5), Foster (5), Amadou (5).
Substitutions : Roberts (5), Fofana (7), Ramsay (6), Zaoui (6), Masengo (6).
Man of the Match: Rodrigo
How Manchester City Secured an Easy Win
Burnley had struggled in their previous 13 encounters against Manchester City, losing with an overall score of 43-1. With the inclusion of De Bruyne and Haaland’s presence on the bench, their task became even more challenging.
However, it was Alvarez who shone, celebrating his 24th birthday with two goals in the first half. Burnley’s defense was forced to contend with his outstanding play and a deft De Bruyne free-kick.
Although Burnley had glimpses of a potential goal, City quickly established their lead. De Bruyne, back in action, provided a well-weighted pass to release Foden, who, in turn, swept the ball for Rodrigo to score from the edge of the box.
While Haaland could have pulled one back for Burnley, a remarkable save by Ederson denied the opportunity, ensuring City’s clean sheet remained intact.
Despite Burnley’s late efforts, City’s victory was never in doubt. The night’s biggest roar came when Haaland was presented for De Bruyne in the 71st minute.
City has kept up its momentum and risen to the top of the Premier League with a convincing win. They emerged victorious in four consecutive instances.
Guardiola on the Race for the Title
Guardiola appreciated the team’s recent excellent play and acknowledged the importance of being in the running for the championship.
Guardiola dismissed the idea that only three teams were in the title race, pointing out that Tottenham and Aston Villa were still in contention.
Guardiola said that the players are aware of the circumstances and he emphasized the need of preparation for the upcoming games. He was happy with the group’s attitude and determination to keep trying till they succeeded.
Erling Haaland’s Comeback:
When Haaland returned, Guardiola lauded his quickness and said he was happy with Haaland’s overall performance despite a couple obvious chances.
Julian Alvarez’s Contribution
Guardiola commended Alvarez for his exceptional performance, describing him as an extraordinary player who contributes significantly to the team. Despite the challenge of making selections, Guardiola appreciated the healthy competition within the squad.
